Platen-shifting attachment for type-writing machines



(No Model.)

C. S. SOUTHWORTH.

PLATEN SHIFI'ING ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MAGHINES.

Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

IN'VENTOR WITNESSEf J I ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Fhnlv-Lilhagriphcr, wnm wn, D. C.

UNITED STATES Parent @FFIICE CHARLES S. SCUTHWOBTH, OF DEEP RIVER,CONNECTICUT.

PLATEN-SHIFTING ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,659, dated December1, 1885.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. SOUTH- WORTH, of Deep River, in thecounty of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented a new andImproved Platen-Shifting Attachment for Type-\Vriters, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an attachment for that class of type-writingmachines which use two different sizes of types and are provided withshifting platens.

The object of my invention is to provide a platen-shifter which isconnected with the machine, can easily be operated, and can be folded tobe out of the way when not required.

The invention consists of the combinations of parts, including theirconstruction, substantially as hereinafter described, and pointed out inthe claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of a type-writingmachine provided with my improved platen-shiftinglever. Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail side view of the lever. Fig. 3 is across-sectionalelevation of the joint of the same on the line a m, Fig. 2. Fig. 4.shows a modification of the joint.

On abloc-k, D, two upwardly-projectingjaws or prongs, A, and twodownwardly-projecting jaws or prongs, B, are formed, the planes of theupper prongs being at right angles to the planes of the lower prongseAbinding-screw, C, is held in one of the upper prongs, and by means ofthe said screw the block is clamped on the bottom edge of one sidepiece, D, of a type-writer frame.

Between the jaws or prongs B the ends of two levers, E and F, arepassed, which have their adjacent surfaces rabbeted, and in the saidrabbets a leather or rubber washer, G, is placed. A tubularinternally-screw-threaded pivot, H, is passed through one jaw B, theends of the levers E and F, and the washer G, and a screw, J, passingthrough the otherjaw B, is screwed into the tubular pivot H. The lowerend of the lever F is flattened, and on thelfree end of the lever E aneye, K, is formed, in which one end of a rod or spiral spring, I,

is held, having its other end secured to the platen-shifting key orlever L. A spring, M, having an offset, N, projects down from the leverE, and the lever F is provided with a pin, 0, adapted to engage with theoffset N, and thus hold the levers together.

In place of providing the washer G between the pivoted ends of thelevers E and F, their faces may be brought in contact, and the lever Fprovided with a shoulder, S, which engages with a shouldenfiT, of thepivoted end of the lever E when the levers are at right angles.

The operation is as follows: The lever F is swung down to be at rightangles with the lever E. By pressing the lever F outward, or in thedirection of the arrow (1, by means of the knee, the free end of thelever E is pulled down, and the platen-shifting key or lever L is pulleddown and the platen is shifted. The parts must remain in this positionas long as capital letters are being used. WVhen the platen-shifting.lever is not in use, the lever F is swung up against the lever E andheld in place by the spring M, as shown in Fig. 2 in dotted lines. Theleather washer G is pressed so firmly that the levers do not slip unlesssufficient force is applied. When theilevers are to he brought at rightangles to each other,

the ends of the levers are slipped on the washer as sufficientforce isapplied; but when the lower end of the lever E is pressed'in thedirection of the arrow (4 the platenshifting lever or key does not offersufficient resistance, and the levers do not slip. If very great forceis applied, they slip and prevent breaking of the platen or platen key,lever, or other parts of the machine. When the washer is not used, butthe lever E is provided with the shoulder S, the spring I is stretchedwhen undue force is used, and thus prevents breaking of the parts. Thelevers E and F form an anglelevcr having a joint at the angle andadapted to be folded.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a platen-shifting attachment for typewriters, the combination,with the platenshifting key, of the lever with {its arrnsZfrictionallypivoted to each other :at their meet- ICO by an interposed washer, andbinding screw and sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

3. The combination, with a type -Writer frame, of the elbow-lever heldon'the same and provided with a joint at the angle, and a springconnecting it with the free end of the platen-shifting key or lever,substantially as herein shown and described.

CHARLES S. SOUTHWORTH.

WVitnesses:

ARTHUR L. BATES, CHARLES S. RANKIN.

